so after doing some research, i've decided that i may opt for a hardware unlock.

and just to clarify a couple of points, this is what i've gathered:

1) a software unlock, if done wrong, may brick your phone. whereas a hardware unlock you will not. plug and play no?

2) a hardware unlock allows you to upgrade to the latest firmware if need be. software unlock on the other hand – you may not, because you have to wait for the next upgrade.

does this sound right to you guys? if yes, great! but then i also have another question...what's the real benefit to unlocking a phone if a hardware upgrade seems much safer to do?

any response to this would be much appreciated.

Not entirely correct. With a hardware solution, you may damage your phone at a circuitry level (from components to overheating), which in my opinion, is way worse.

Again, not entirely correct. No one knows what 1.1.3+ may bring us. It's not that hard for Apple to decide to block the way TurboSIM (for example) acts nowadays. So, a future firmware may stop you from using hardware solutions.

Just my 2 cents. If anyone would like to add anything, be my guest.

__________________

Apple sucks.
Microsoft rules.

TurboSIM-like methods? No way.

- Unlocked Week 47 1.1.3 iPhone, baseband 04.04.05_G.
- Bought in Minneapolis, MN;
- Currently on TIM carrier.

I'm not here to find help. I'm here to help others and give back what I've learned from Hackint0sh.

Can you actually "brick" your phone beyond repair?

so, all in all...a software or hardware unlock...which is better. what's the benefit of each?

in other words, which one will have the least problems in the long run?

to me, and i'm obviously no expert, but from from what i've read, it seems as though a hardware is an easier solution to it all. the only major difference is that you gotta dish out some extra cash for the sim card.

I'm tired of waiting so I decided to get my bootloader flashed with 3.9... next week.
Here (Bulgaria) it costs 75 EUR (about $115).

I'd go for the software solution. Being an Electrical Engineer, I've always believed in software solutions for everything. But hey, that's up to you. If you feel like a hardware solution is going to do better for you (and you have some extra cash wandering around), go for it! :p

__________________

Apple sucks.
Microsoft rules.

TurboSIM-like methods? No way.

- Unlocked Week 47 1.1.3 iPhone, baseband 04.04.05_G.
- Bought in Minneapolis, MN;
- Currently on TIM carrier.

I'm not here to find help. I'm here to help others and give back what I've learned from Hackint0sh.

Well i dont like hardware unllocks because you have to scratch your shinny nice iphone

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Hi,
Could you tell me where is that place where they can flash the chip? Pls PM me if it is possible.
Regards

I pissed off waiting and purchased xxxSim salution it looks like this is the right salution for now.

too much time waiting for software unlock, if maybe there is no way to make it, hardware unlock would be the only solution, so i dont discard any of them